'Interior design is not about us, our taste or what is trendy now. It's about what we will do in the future. Not that I have a crystal ball, but at Mdesigns, every project is approached from trend forecasting. What are the social needs of the future and how do we respond to them with our designs for the best and most sustainable results.'
Deeper layer
This year, Marloes celebrates her 25th anniversary in the business. 'The love for interior design was there from an early age. I have been working in the interior design industry since I was 16.' What started as a part-time job at Decorette led via a construction agency to the start of her own business in 2007. 'Typically, this was also when I went back to school. In my work, besides the technical, practical side, I wanted to add a deeper layer, look differently, understand the ‘why’. That's what I learned at the academy. Design language and trend forecasting are the tools and basis for my interior designs.'
Celebrate and honour
Marloes designs interiors in a variety of industries where hospitality and customisation are paramount: from hotels and offices to funeral centres and river cruise ships. When asked how these completely different sectors inspire her, the answer is: ‘Hospitality is an important starting point in all disciplines, with different interpretations each time. On cruise ships, life is celebrated and holidays are experienced, and at funeral homes, a personal life is honoured. I find decorating funeral homes very special to be able to do. At a young age, I unexpectedly lost my partner. That was very intense and at a time like that you experience first-hand what an environment does to you. I find it very fulfilling and honourable that I can create an environment where others feel more comfortable, especially at such intense moments'.
‘Can't’ is not in our dictionary
In her career, Marloes has gained a lot of practical and technical knowledge and this comes in especially handy when fitting out river cruise ships. 'Basically, a river cruise ship is a floating hotel and facility-wise like it. On a ship, everything is a lot more compact - both in area and dimensionally - and no inch is left unused. When it comes to furnishing, it is mainly a lot of puzzling with space and technology. Because I am part of the construction team, I know in detail which electrics and air conditioning installations must be built in or hidden away. The construction manager shared a nice compliment: If you design, not much needs to be solved. Whether it's design, engineering or organisation: can't is not in our dictionary, is my motto.'
Iconic women
Commissioned by Starling Fleet and in collaboration with German tour operator Nicko Cruises, Mdesigns took four ships from its fleet that cruise the Danube: Belvedere, Viktoria, Bolero and Maxima. Marloes: ‘As interchangeability is important on these ships, the different interiors were designed so that each ship has its own identity and colour palette but, by using the same furniture lines - including lounge chair Lux and chair Flash by Studio Satelliet and Pebble by designer Erik Remmers for Satelliet Originals - has a similar look and feel.’ For the interior design, powerful, iconic women were the inspiration. The Belvedere hints at Marie-Antoinette, Versailles and elegant gardens, the Viktoria stands for the Queen and her crown jewels, the Bolero embodies Carmen Amaya - the best flamenco dancer ever - and Maxima has a design inspired by our own fashionable and graceful queen. The existing, fixed furniture, - ranging from cherry orange to salmon pink or dark blue, high-gloss clouded wood combined with high-gloss chrome - posed the biggest challenge. 'We chose to embrace and integrate these existing elements. The colours were incorporated into our own designed carpets and patterned fabrics for an enhancing effect and cohesion between old and new.'
Collaboration
Satelliet and Mdesigns say they go ‘way back!’ Meanwhile, Satelliet - in the person of Edwin - and I have become a well-oiled machine. Every design realised feels like a gift: for the client, for the user and for us. When design and reality finally fall together like pieces of a puzzle, I am proud of our team and the people who worked on it. The client and tour operator were already enthusiastic about the design, but once they had seen it with their own eyes, I received an app in the evening saying it was ‘amazing’ and ‘beyond expectations’. I am also very curious to see what guests will think of it. Soon, I will look on board. What could be better than seeing people enjoying the environment you have created for them?'
